IBM program makes Reno smartest little city

Selection latest good news in effort to remake area's image

6:22 AM,
Nov. 15, 2012

Katherine Holland, senior state executive for Nevada and general manager of IBM, Global Life Sciences and Industry, talks about Reno being named a smarter city Wednesday at Reno City Hall. Behind her from left are Councilman Dwight Dortch; Mayor Bob Cashell; Councilwoman Sharon Zadra; newly elected Councilman Oscar Delgado; Councilwoman Jessica Sferrazza; Heidi Gansert, special assistant to the president for external affairs at the University of Nevada, Reno; city manager Andrew Clinger; and Councilman Dave Aiazzi.

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An investment by IBM in the community may end up giving Northern Nevada not just the brains but also the looks to attract more economic activity to the area.

Reno scored its own biggest little coup after beating hundreds of applicants from around the world to become a recipient of the IBM Smarter Cities Challenge Program. As one of 100 recipients in the program, the city will receive a $400,000 grant as well as technical assistance from IBM.

Reno will use the resources to develop an analytics tool for use in economic development as well as assisting lawmakers in crafting more informed policy ...